Inactivation of wine spoilage yeasts Dekkera bruxellensis using low electric current treatment (LEC).

AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the inactivation of a selected yeast Dekkera bruxellensis strain 4481 in red wine by application of low electric current treatment (LEC). METHODS AND RESULTS: LEC (200 mA) was applied for 60 days to a red wine, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, in an alternative strategy to the SO(2) addition during wine storage. The LEC effect on both cell activity and microflora viability was assessed. LEC decreased significantly the survival viable cells and increased the death rate of D. bruxellensis strain 4481 yeast. A final comparison was made of the main physico-chemical parameters of the wine after the different treatments. The study suggests the importance of an appropriate LEC treatment which limits wine deterioration in terms of off-flavours synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the growth of undesirable Dekkera can be inhibited by low voltage treatment; LEC was shown to be useful to prevent wine spoilage and has the potential of being a concrete alternative method for controlling wine spoilage. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Wine spoilage can be avoided by preventing the growth of undesirable Dekkera yeasts, through the effective use of LEC in the winemaking process.

Plasma D-dimer measurement as a marker of gynecologic tumors: comparison with Ca 125.

BACKGROUND: Fibrin is formed and degraded intra-abdominally in ovarian cancer, and the cross-linked fibrin degradation product, D-dimer (D-D), has been found in increased concentrations in the plasma of these patients. METHODS: D-dimer and Ca 125 levels were determined simultaneously in 110 patients with gynecologic neoplasms. D-dimer and Ca 125 assays were performed using the Dimertest Stripwell EIA Kit (Ortho) and CA 125-II EIA assay (Roche), respectively. RESULTS: D-dimer plasma and Ca 125 serum levels were significantly higher in patients with ovarian cancer (mean +/- SE = 894.2 +/- 173.7 ng/ml and 760.5 +/- 292.7 U/ml, respectively) than in those with uterine cancer (mean DD +/- SE = 109.7 +/- 23.5 ng/ml and mean Ca 125 +/- SE = 50.0 +/- 23.1 U/ml) or those with benign disease (mean D-D +/- SE = 70.5 +/- 5.5 ng/ml and mean Ca 125 +/- SE = 6.6 +/- 2.8 U/ml). The levels of both markers increased with regard to ovarian cancer disease status. Mean D-D +/- SE was 90.0 +/- 22.8 ng/ml and mean Ca 125 +/- SE was 2.1 +/- 1.2 U/ml in patients with complete remission; mean D-D +/- SE was 143.3 +/- 33.5 ng/ml and mean Ca 125 +/- SE was 26.2 +/- 13.6 U/ml in patients with partial remission. In active disease, both markers had very high levels: D-D mean +/- SE = 1021.6 +/- 173.0 ng/ml and Ca 125 mean +/- SE = 1154.7 +/- 458.1 U/ml. In all groups of ovarian cancer patients, D-dimer sensitivity was better than that of Ca 125. In advanced ovarian cancer patients, the D-dimer concentration in ascites was up to 100 fold that in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that D-dimer can serve as a sensitive indicator to monitor the extent and course of the disease in ovarian cancer patients. The patient follow-up is ongoing to establish the predictive value of D-dimer measurement with respect to prognosis.

[Lymphocytic subpopulations in malignant ascites of ovarian origin. Flow cytometric analysis]. / Sottopopolazioni linfocitarie nell'ascite neoplastica di origine ovarica. Analisi in citometria di flusso.

A flow-cytometric analysis of ascitic fluid (AF) and peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations (LS) was performed on 16 patients with ovarian malignancy (OM) and 5 with metastatic peritoneal carcinomatosis (MPC). AF lymphocytes are 58% of total leukocytes in OM patients, 37% in MPC patients, while blood lymphocytes are 14% and 17%, respectively. AF absolute lymphocyte count (total and individual LS) is higher in OM patients. OM patients AF lymphocytes are: T = 70%, CD4+ = -37%, CD8+ = 32% (CD4/CD8 = 1.39), B = 5%, NK cells = 4-10%, CD25+ = 20%, CD69+ = 15%, CD71+ = 3%. In MPC patients the values are generally similar, though CD4+ cells are +7%, CD8+ cells = -14% (CD4/CD8 = 3.17), CD69+ cells = -8%. Untreated OM patients have a AF total and percent lymphocyte count higher than treated ones. Among the latter, however, the CD4/CD8 ratio as well as the number of CD4+, inducer, CD25+ and CD71+ cells are higher. In terms of percent values, the most striking differences involve total T and B lymphocytes (81-87% vs 56-62%, and 10% vs 2%, respectively). With the only exception of absolute NK cell count, OM patients show no correlation between AF and peripheral blood LS pattern. These results agree only partially with data from the literature. Pathophysiologic and clinical considerations support the practical usefulness of LS analysis in AF from OM patients.

[Epidemiology of female ano-genital condylomata acuminata. In relation to the presence of specific types of the human papillomavirus]. / Epidemiologia dei condilomi acuminati ano-genitali femminili. In relazione alla presenza di specifici tipi di human papillomavirus.

The presence of 7 human papillomavirus (HPV) types in genital condylomata acuminata (GCA) from 94 otherwise healthy women was detected by in situ hybridization, employing 3 different DNA probe cocktails (6/11, 16/18 and 31/35/51). HPV+ and HPV- GCA did not differ significantly as to the multiplicity and site of lesions, nor the prevalence of younger age, previous pregnancies or abortions, oral contraception, concurrent vaginal infection, aspecific PAP-test abnormalities and cutaneous hypo-anergy. Of note is that 13/18 HPV+ GCA (72.2%) lodged HPV types (16, 18, 31, 35, 51) which are more commonly related to dysplastic and neoplastic lesions of the female genital tract.

Prognostic factors in epithelial ovarian cancer.

In the present study the Authors have statistically evaluated the influence of the main prognostic factors in 160 women affected by epithelial ovarian cancer. They were sequentially observed at Oncologic Institute of Bari, Italy from december 1981 to december 1989. The prognostic factors (age, stage, grading, histological type, performance status and residual disease), have been evaluated through an actuarial analysis of survival and compared with those reported by many authors in literature. Our data confirm the relevance, among all, of the grading, the clinical stage and residual disease as traditional parameters. Furthermore it is proposable the use of new prognostic factors such as nuclear ploidy and proliferative activity (S-phase, labeling index).

[Acute abdomen in the elderly]. / L'addome acuto nel vecchio.

After a review of the literature on the subject, all IIIrd and IVth age patients admitted for acute abdomen to the Department of Surgical Pathology I of the University of Pavia between 1-1-1974 and 31-12-1988 were studied. The various pathologies encountered in acute abdomen are considered on the basis of the results obtained, stress being laid on the clinical and diagnostic problems observed in these patients in relation to those of adult age. It is concluded that the study method used in the elderly gave good results with a mortality rate lower than that encountered in other studies on the subject.

Ovarian bilateral cystic teratomas: diagnosis and therapy in a young woman.

A case of ovarian bilateral cystic teratomas is described in young women. Difficult problems concerning diagnosis and therapy are deeply analyzed because of the rarity of this case. Bilateral and typical ultrasound aspects appear strongly indicative of an ovarian tumor. A conservative reproduction-preserving procedure was performed, due to the young age of the patients.

The role of tumour markers in ovarian cancer.

In the present review, the Authors have evaluated the current status of the utilization of the principle tumor markers for ovarian carcinoma in clinical gynecological practice. The major difficulty in individualizing a single marker is represented by the histological differentiation of the tumor itself. In fact, whereas for the malignant germ cell tumors, useful markers (AFP, B-HCG) are already available, for other histological forms, valid markers have been identified only because of the availability of the monoclonal antibody: CA 125. Even if this marker cannot be proposed for mass screening, it represents a useful instrument for the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian carcinoma. The serum levels are well correlated with the clinical status of the patient and high concentrations of the marker are strongly indicative of disease progression at the second-look. Numerous other markers such as NB 70K, IAP, PLAP, CA 15-3 and TAG 72, are actually in the clinical evaluation phase, for the most part in association with CA 125.

Chemotherapy and surgery in the treatment of ovarian cancer bulky disease.

Thirty-six patients with stage III-IV ovarian cancer, bulky disease, were treated with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide administered in two different dosages. Three or four cycles of chemotherapy were administered before the first surgery to facilitate the surgical debulking. After surgery, 6 additional cycles of chemotherapy were administered, and a second look was performed. Clinical CR + PR was observed in 19/30 (63%) evaluable patients after the first part of chemotherapy, but pathologic CR + PR was confirmed in only 13 (43%) patients. After the second part of chemotherapy and the second surgery, 5/30 (17%) patients had pathologic CR and 3/30 (10%) showed residual disease. The two regimens demonstrated similar activity (67% vs 56% clinical CR + PR) but a very different toxicity. In fact, 50% of patients treated with higher doses showed severe leukopenia and 25% severe thrombocytopenia, and 2/13 died of sepsis. The significant activity of adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide in ovarian cancer was confirmed, and increasing the dosage of the two drugs did not increase their activity but only their toxicity.

[Sexology and abortion with respect to their psychological and socioeconomic repercussions]. / Sessuologia ed aborto nei loro riflessi psicologici e socioeconomici

PIP: The reasons that are given to justify abortion (such as short intervals between pregnancies, presence of other young children in the family who require full attention, excessive number of children, financial difficulties, poor health of 1 or both parents) are discussed. It is concluded, however, that unwanted pregnancies are always the result of an act which, at the time, was wanted by both partners, and from which they derived some pleasure, even though for a short time only; therefore, they should bear the consequences. With respect to the problem of clandestine induced abortion, according to the author, it could be controlled simply by applying the laws that are already in force. Rather than legalizing induced abortion, the penalties against it should become more severe. Unwanted pregnancies should be prevented by providing better sex education, but physicians should always pursue their mission, which is to heal, and refuse to prevent the development of an embryo, which has a right to develop as a human being.^ieng